Captain Daniel Fones

Notes:

FONES Capt. Daniel, at North Kingstown, in 57th year. Phenix of Aug. 9, 1817.

His will mentions wife Catherine; brother Samuel; and nephews Daniel Fones s/o brother Samuel, and Daniel Fones Essex s/o Benajah Essex; also (no relationship specified) Fones Austin s/o Russell Austin. (Fones was Daniel's nieces's son, s/o of Catherine [Essex] Austin.)

Daniel married Catherine Austin 9 Jan 1791, North Kingstown, RI. Catherine (daughter of James AUSTIN and Katharine (Catharine) HUNT) was born 22 Sep 1765, North Kingstown, Washington Co., RI; died 12 Jun 1827, North Kingstown, Washington Co., RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

FONES Daniel, and Catherine Austin, of James; m. by Elder Nathan Hill, Jan. 9, 1791.

1. Sally Russell Fones was born 12 May 1796; died 30 Sep 1811; was buried , North Kingstown, RI.

Notes:

Daniel is mentioned as deceased in his father's will of 8 Apr 1790, and his wife Mary is mentioned as daughter-in-law. Five of their children are mentioned as grandchildren.

I have roughly estimated Daniel's year of birth, as well as the birth years of his children.

Daniel married Mary Unknown Abt 1752. Mary was born Abt 1734. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Some family trees have Daniel's wife as Mercy Remington.

See notes for Daniel's grandfather John.

From the book "The Correspondence of the Colonial Governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775" (Google Books), p 329, "Fones was an enterprising sea captain who represented North Kingstown in the General Assembly. He was sent to Cape Breton with the Connecticut transports, in command of the Rhode Island colony sloop, Tartar, and there distinguished himself by intercepting at Famme Goose Bay a force of 1200 French and Indians, who were advancing from Annapolis to the relief of Louisburg. This was two days before the surrender of the fortress."

From the book Mayflower Families Through Five Generations, Vol 3 p 94 (pub 1980 by General Society of Mayflower Descendants, ed Anne Borden Harding): "He m. Mercy ----- perhaps 1743 - 1747. The identity of his wife, the birth place and dates of his children is [sic] not known . . . From 1744 to 1747 he commanded the RI colony sloop Tartar . . . he is referred to as mariner in his will."

The will of Capt. Daniel Fones of North Kingstown, dated 8 Apr 1790 and proved 9 Aug 1790, mentions son Daniel dec'd leaving widow Mary; daughters Mary w/o Edward Yorke of East Falmouth, Nova Scotia; Martha w/o Michael Spencer of East Greenwich, and their son Fones Spencer; granddaughter Margaret w/o William Helme; grandchildren -- children of Mary and probably dec'd son Daniel -- Cynthia, Christopher, Constant, Mary, Dutee, and Daniel.

Daniel married Mercy Unknown Abt 1733. Mercy was born Abt 1715; died Bef 8 Apr 1790. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

It appears that Daniel's wife is still living in the 1782 RI census:
1782 RI Census at North Kingstown, RI
Daniel Fones: Males - 2<16, 1 50+; Females - 1<16, 1 22<50, 1 50+

Some family trees have suggested that her name was Mercy Remington.

I have used Mercy as her first name because that is given in Mayflower Families Through Five Generations, Vol 3 p 94 (pub 1980 by General Society of Mayflower Descendants, ed Anne Borden Harding): "He m. Mercy ----- perhaps 1743 - 1747. The identity of his wife, the birth place and dates of his children is [sic] not known."

Notes:

I have estimated the birthdates for Jeremiah's children.

His will mentions wife Martha; sons Joseph, John, Daniel (under 21), Samuel, & Thomas; and daughter Margaret Davis, dec'd; also grandon John Davis.

Jeremiah married Martha West 9 Nov 1710, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI. Martha (daughter of Francis WEST, Sr. and Susanna SOULE) was born Abt 1676, MA or RI; died 2 Dec 1764; was buried , Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Rt. 102, Exeter, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

As a widow, Martha lived with her brother Francis West (Jr.), probably after the death of her first husband.

Notes:

FONES Jeremiah, and Martha; m. by John Eldred, Warden, Nov. --, 1710.